Fleas are a common problem for dogs, especially in the warmer months when they reproduce faster. They can spread to other animals and even humans, too. If you’re not careful, fleas can infest your whole house and yard.
Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to prevent flea infestations if your dog does get them in the first place. In this article, we’ll go over some easy tips for preventing flea infestations in dogs.
Visit Your Vet Every Six Months
Always visit your vet at least once every six months. This is important because the overall health of your dog can help prevent fleas from infesting him and spreading to you. Check for fleas at least once a week by looking under the skin folds and around his ears, tail, and neck area. If you do find them, treat them immediately with a topical flea treatment or oral medication from your vet’s office before they spread to other parts of his body.
Fleas can be dangerous if they bite someone with a weakened immune system or are allergic to them. They can spread diseases like tapeworms if left untreated and cause anemia in some dogs. In rare cases, they may transmit plague (bubonic plague) between rats and humans via rat droppings.
Check Your Dog for Fleas Once a Week
Check your dog for fleas at least once a week. Look for fleas, eggs, and larvae on the skin and coat of your dog’s neck, head, and back by parting the hair with your fingers or using a comb to smooth down any mats. Check the dog’s bedding, toys, and favorite spots on furniture too. You might find fleas there too. Any sign of fleas in these areas means that they have already infested your dog.
Use a Flea Collar
Flea collars are one of the most commonly recommended options for protecting your dog from fleas. There are several types of flea collars available, and each one has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Some flea collars work well for certain breeds but don’t work as well for others. The Seresto Flea Collar for adult dogs that you can find on PetCareRx will work for almost all dog breeds. The collar uses special chemical compounds known to kill fleas the moment they come in contact with it. Before that, however, fleas will be repelled by the chemical’s odor, meaning they won’t dare to attack your dog.
Give Your Dog a Bath Whenever Necessary
Bathing your dog regularly can help keep fleas away. The frequency and type of bathing depend on the health of your dog and its coat. If you bathe your dog too often, it could dry out its skin or worsen an existing skin condition like allergies or eczema. You may want to consult a vet when first starting to bathe your dog for flea prevention so that they can recommend how often you should do so and what kind of dog flea shampoo you should use.
Some dogs are more prone to getting infested with fleas than others because their coats are thicker or not as smooth as other breeds. These types of breeds should be bathed every week, while those with smoother hair only need a bath every month or two, depending on how dirty they get outside.
When picking out a shampoo for your pet, it must contain ingredients like pyrethrins which work well against killing pests like fleas. Pyrethrin is toxic to pests like fleas. The chemical works instantaneously and can thus get rid of the fleas right away.
Keep Your House and Yard Clean and Flea-Free
It is extremely important to make sure that your home and yard are clean, particularly for the safety of your pets.
Fleas can be found in yards and grasses. Thus, keeping your lawn well-maintained is a must. You should also make sure that no one in your household brings home fleas when they come back from being outdoors. The best way to do this is to vacuum regularly and clean all the furniture with a damp cloth because fleas breed very easily in dust and dirt.
Make sure you clean off bedding every day so that any stray fleas don’t get an opportunity to lay eggs there. If possible, wash blankets with hot water during cold months (before winter). Another tip would be changing out sheets at least once per week so as not to allow fleas to breed.
Keep in mind that if your dog has fleas, it’s not just a problem for him or her. It’s a problem for you too. Fleas can make their way into your home and cause health problems for you and your family members. That’s why it’s so important to take these steps as soon as possible.